What type of wood was traditionally used for ukiyo-e woodblocks?

Cherry wood was traditionally used for ukiyo-e woodblocks. Its fine, even grain allowed carvers to cut delicate outlines and tiny details while keeping the block durable through repeated printing.

In the traditional process, an artist’s design was transferred to a prepared block, often with the image pasted face-down onto the wood. A block carver removed the surrounding wood so the lines and color areas remained raised in relief. Separate blocks could be used for different colors, and the paper was carefully registered against each one.

Japanese mountain cherry, or yamazakura, was especially valued, although other cherry varieties were also used. The wood’s hardness and stability made it better suited than softer or more fibrous materials for the precision required by multicolored prints. Bamboo, oak, and pine may appear in other woodworking contexts, but they are not the standard answer for traditional ukiyo-e blocks.